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Council advances initial steps for two TIF districts tied to Waterline development
Summary
Council introduced an economic development plan and two ordinances to create two tax-increment financing (TIF) districts for what was described as the Water 9 on Turkey Foot Lake development; council scheduled further review and legal counsel will attend the next meeting to answer questions.
The New Franklin City Council opened a public hearing and advanced the first steps in creating two tax-increment financing incentive districts tied to a large waterline development project referred to as "Water 9 on Turkey Foot Lake."
City staff said the presentation is the statutory start of the TIF process: the city must adopt an economic development plan, show that infrastructure (water and sewer) does not currently exist in the area, and then adopt ordinances that, if approved after required readings, would establish the incentive districts and allocate tax increments under Ohio law.
Two separate ordinances were introduced: ordinance 25-0001 would create Incentive District Number 1 (phase 1); ordinance 25-0002 would create Incentive District Number 2 (phases 2 and 3). Staff said the split reflects phasing: phase 1 is expected to start first and phases 2 and 3 would start later, and a TIF clock for each district typically begins when construction in that district begins.
Council gave staff direction to post the draft development agreement and school compensation agreement and to return with counsel (city and developer counsel were requested) at a subsequent meeting for a fuller presentation. City staff said two attached documents — the draft school compensation agreement and a development agreement — were in draft form and expected to be finalized before a later reading. Staff also said the schedule anticipates three readings and that council planned to hold detailed discussion at the next available meeting where developer and counsel can be present.
Jason Dodson, counsel for Atkins CLX Holdings LLC (the property owner identified in the hearing notice), stated, "We have no comment, here for the hearing," confirming receipt of the notice and that the property owner had no objection at this stage. Counsel for the city (Jason Butterworth) was asked to attend the next meeting to respond to technical and statutory questions.
City staff emphasized that sewer and water infrastructure are not present in the area and that the economic development plan would identify needed infrastructure and how the TIF revenues could help fund it. Councilmembers asked procedural questions about when the school board would execute the compensation agreement and whether both districts should start simultaneously; staff replied that the TIF clock starts when construction in each district begins, so phasing affects how long each district collects incremental revenue.
Council scheduled further review and public comment at a future meeting; staff said they will post drafts and revisions to the city website prior to that meeting.
